NO CONDEMNATION. Romans 8:1.

Posted bySteven WalesPosted inGRACE, Law and GraceTags:, , , ,

What is Christianity to you? Rules and guilt? Yuck. No wonder you’re not excited about it!

Judaism was about rules—613 rules. Jesus rescued us from rules. If church or faith or conversations about God leave you thinking about rules, then your faith is still in elementary school. Let’s graduate: Jesus delivers you from rule-following—and He takes away your guilt! Church and faith and conversations about God should make you happy, because you are no longer bound by rules, judged for failures, and burdened with guilt like a backpack full of rocks.

Do you feel guilt for sins—both of omission and commission? Guilt has a paradoxical effect—instead of motivating you, it un-motivates you.

But there is a way out. Embrace God’s promise. MEMORIZE it:

“There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and of death” Romans 8:1.

Here are the basics: you and I could NEVER follow the law, our accounts are filled with sins, and we stand condemned. Jesus followed the law perfectly then offered Himself in our place. The Father applied the righteousness of Jesus to YOUR account. We are NEW creatures in Christ—HOLY creatures, guilty of nothing. There is no sin on your account. You are free!

Do we have duties—things we should do or avoid doing? Yes. Adult Christianity is walking by faith, motivated by grace and gratitude. God has cleansed me and welcomes me. I’m going to do my best for Him. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable” 1 Corinthians 10:23. There is no sin or guilt on me. But some actions are not profitable. I’m going to avoid those actions. Other actions are important and valuable, like Bible reading. I’m going to make those actions habits.

MEMORIZE Romans 8:1. Resolve to NEVER again feel guilt as a Christian or think your faith is about guilt!

ΑΩ

Published by Steven Wales

Dad's Daily Devotional began as text messages to my family. I wanted my teenagers to know their father was reading the Bible. But they were at school by then. Initially, I sent them a favorite verse or an insight based on what I read each day. That grew into drafting a devotional readng which I would send them via text. I work as an attorney and an adjunct professor, and recently wrote a book called HOW TO MAKE A'S.

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